4th January, 2024
Over 6,000 inter-state passengers have benefitted from the Federal Government’s 50 percent slash in transport fare at the Oshodi Transport Interchange, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
There was a surge of passengers travelling to various states from the Oshodi Interchange on Thursday being the last day of the FG’s initiative implemented nationwide.
At the Oshodi Transport Interchange on Thursday, several excited passengers were seen getting back 50% refund of what they lpaid as fare from government’s representatives.
The Managing Director of Planet Project Limited, Engr. Abiodun Otunola, whose company is managing the affairs of the Oshodi Transport Interchange, told newsmen that there have been surge in the number of people travelling out since December when the initiative was announced by the Federal Government.
“So far we have had an upsurge in passenger numbers. We have been managing this terminal for the past five years, we could say that we have over 35% increase in the number of passengers compared to what we normally would have recorded during the Christmas period.
“Nigerians are kind of trooped out and took advantage of the fact that there is a 50 per cent reduction in transport fare. As you know, transport is one of the pain points of the fuel subsidy removal and because of this laudable programme of the federal government, a lot of Nigerians troop here daily, morning, afternoon and evening to take advantage of the opportunity so that they can travel for the yuletide season,” Otunola said
“From this terminal, over 6,000 passengers have benefitted from the FG’s initiative and so far over 700 vehicles in 15 days, have conveyed passengers out of the State which is far higher than what we could have during the festive period at this point in time based on our historical data,” he added.
Otunola said the government deserved a lot of credit for doing this within this period, saying this is the starting point, saying “We believe that by the time this project is implemented in subsequent years, it will be better, there will be a lot more awareness, communication and information.
“More stakeholders will be brought on board and the project will be more successful. For the first time, people were refunded money as high as N15,000. So they were shocked that even during elections they did not get that kind of money. From this terminal so far we have been 100 per cent compliant.”
One of the beneficiaries, Uzochiamaka Maryrose said she got a N15,000 refund after she paid N30,000 fare for the bus travelling to Rivers State.
“I am travelling to Rivers State, I am really impressed that the government has given us 50 per cent of what we paid. I was refunded N15, 000. I really appreciate this. It is great,” she said.
A youth corps member, Komolafe Toibat Abolore, travelling to Kwara was so elated after she was given N3,000 from the N6,000 she paid as fare.
“On getting here they told us there is a subsidy of 50% and they refunded to us N3,000 from our N6,000. We want to say thank you to the Federal Government of Nigeria. I am a youth corps member serving in Kwara State. I feel so happy,” she stated.